Robinson, Matthew Thomas Jr.

1937 - Born on January 1st in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Matt Robinson, a writer for the 1980s sitcom "The Cosby Show" and the first actor to play kindly neighbor Gordon on the children's show "Sesame Street".

1963 - He began his show-business career as a writer, producer and performer at the Philadelphia television station WCAU.

1969 - He took the role of Gordon on the PBS children's program "Sesame Street" and also performed the voice of purple-faced puppet Roosevelt Franklin.

1973-1974 - Robinson went on to produce and write the films "Save The Children" and "Amazing Grace".

1983 - He was one of the staff of the NBC's The Cosby Show as a producer and staff writer.

- He joined with fellow Philadelphia native Bill Cosby as a staff writer and producer for the comedian's NBC family sitcom "The Cosby Show".

2002 - Died from complications of Parkinson's disease on August 5th in Los Angeles, California.